Yes, Christmas decorating is temporary. However, it also brings so much childhood magic and joy that most of us do not mind spending a lot of time re-creating this magic!

It might be a good idea to follow the same decorating principles that you'd use when decorating your home for the long run. It just makes it easier and keeps the process more under control.

See if our Christmas design principles will help you decorate your home for the holidays. Read more

• Principles of Design for Christmas Decorating

Photo: (c) Fleur Suijten

If you love a traditional, old-world Christmas, you probably won't think much about a color scheme for your Christmas decorations.

You'll gather together everything with sentimental value in any color, and find just the right place for it and your home and tree will be lovely.

But if you're just starting out or want your decorations to compliment your home's decor, you'll find that all your Christmas decorating decisions will be easier if you start out with a specific color scheme.

There are a number of ways you can determine or choose a color scheme you want to follow with your Christmas decorations. Read more

• Color Schemes for Christmas Decorating

Do you have your favorite type of tree to use for a Christmas tree or do you just buy the first tree you see on the lot?

Most people ponder over this important decision, looking for the perfectly shaped, fullest, most beautiful tree they can find. Do you know, though, about the many options available to you?

If you're not sure which type of tree to buy, find out about the many options available on our top pick list of Christmas tree types. Read more

• Choices for Your Christmas Tree

If you'd like to add more to your holiday traditions, or are just starting out and want to choose some new traditions, then our list may just get you inspired.

You can ass one or two new traditions a year, and then find yourself looking forward to them as December rolls around.

For example, how about creating a Traditions Book? Use a beautiful blank book (with acid-free pages) to record your holiday traditions. Read more

• Ways to Add Meaning and Continuity to Your Christmas Holidays

Photo: (c) Vicki Gill